[04-30-2024] Merced County, CA – One Person Killed, Three Others Injured Following Single-Vehicle Rollover Crash Along Highway 152

One person was killed, while three others were injured following a single-vehicle rollover crash in Merced County on Tuesday afternoon, April 30, 2024.

According to the California Highway Patrol, the fatal accident happened at about 3:54 p.m. on State Route 152, west of Harmon Road.

CHP reports that 52-year-old Mario R. from Los Banos was driving westbound on the No. 1 lane of SR 152 with three passengers. Witnesses told officers that the driver was traveling at a high rate of speed.

For some reason, he lost control of his vehicle, a 2003 GMC, causing it to swerve onto the No. 2 lane and subsequently off the shoulder of the highway. The vehicle then fell down a dirt embankment and rolled over multiple times, injuring everyone inside.

It has been confirmed that one of the passengers suffered fatal injuries as a result of the crash. The two other passengers, both men, sustained moderate injuries and were taken to Los Banos Memorial Hospital to recover. Mario R., the driver, also had moderate injuries.

Further details were not immediately available. CHP is still looking for clues to establish the possible factors leading up to the deadly incident, as alcohol and drugs were ruled out.

The investigation is ongoing.

Seek Help From Our Dependable Car Accident Lawyers In Merced County

If another driver’s negligence injured you or a loved one in Merced County, you may be able to sue for damages. Ask one of our personal injury attorneys, under the supervision of Arash Khorsandi, Esq., for advice regarding your car accident case. Our Merced County injury law firm is here for you!

Avail a free consultation with our dependable Merced County car accident lawyers, who will review your case, discuss the next steps, and examine all the variables that could affect your settlement amount. Additionally, they can assist you if obtaining further information or a police report proves challenging.

Our legal team has well-established careers and accolades for advocating for accident victims. The clients we have worked with have been awarded compensation totaling more than $750 million.

If you want to speak with one of our personal injury lawyers, please call (888) 488-1391 or fill out the “Do I Have a Case?” form.

What To Do After A Merced County Car Accident

No one can predict a car crash or collision, but you can prepare for one. Having a car accident checklist in your glove box can help you stay calm and organized after a car crash. It can tell you what to do, what not to do, and how best to protect your rights. You aren’t alone after a severe collision.

Whether you are the injured victim or the family of a deceased loved one, here’s what to do after a car accident:

1. Stay Calm – Stay on the scene and make sure everyone is okay. Check yourself for injuries first, and then check others. Remain calm, and try your best to regain composure.
2. Get to a Safe Location – Move disabled vehicles to the side of the road if you can. Put your emergency flashers on to help prevent further collisions. Get somewhere safe to wait for the police.
3. Call 911 – Call the police to report your accident. Unless your crash was very minor, with no injuries or property damage, you should call the cops. Police can document the incident, gather information, and make it part of an official record.
4. Exchange Information – Swap names, phone numbers, and insurance information with the other driver(s) involved in the accident. If possible, take photos of the vehicles, license plates, and other vital details.
5. Do Not Admit Fault – This is one of the common mistakes people tend to make following any vehicular accident. Stick only to the facts of what happened when speaking with a police officer, but never admit fault or say “sorry.” Nevertheless, be as detailed as possible in your description of the collision.
6. Seek Medical Attention – Go to the hospital or your primary doctor as soon as possible. Immediate medical care can help reduce the damage you suffer from injuries. Tests and scans can identify internal injuries that may not show symptoms yet.
7. Report to Your Insurance Company – Most insurers have time limits for how soon you must report an accident in California. Call quickly and follow the agent’s directions for reporting your crash.
8. Speak to Insurance Adjusters – As soon as the day of your accident, you may receive a phone call from the other party’s insurance company. You may speak to the claims adjuster, but do not give away any more information than is necessary. Do not record a statement or accept an insurance settlement offer until you speak to an attorney.
9. Create a File – Keep accident-related documents together and organized. Your file should include a copy of the police report, medical bills, the other driver’s information, injury treatment plans, and any other documents you’ve collected regarding the incident.
10. Call Our Car Accident Lawyers – When in doubt, give us a call at (888) 488-1391. We offer free consultations so you can discuss your car crash without risk or obligation. We can determine whether your case has merit, help you talk to insurance companies, and assist you in filing a personal injury claim if necessary. Our California car accident lawyers are here for you. Our team answers the questions and concerns of many victims.

I HAD AN ACCIDENT

Car Accident Statistics

Based on data released by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration in 2021, motor vehicle accidents accounted for 21% of the total preventable injury-related deaths in the US. Approximately 19,515 deaths involving traffic crashes were recorded from January to June 2023, which is 3.3% less than the total 20,190 deaths reported in the first half of 2022.

For the first half of 2023, the NHTSA recorded 2,061 fatalities in California due to motor vehicle accidents. The state had a total of 160,819 fatal and injury crashes in the previous year.

In Merced County, 1,466 crashes either resulted in injuries or fatalities, according to data from the Transportation Injury Mapping System in 2023.